Crazy thing - should I do it?

Parent Cafe
1

I live in Hawaii. My son is at school on the mainland. He’s a senior, this is his last term. He’s a theater minor, and he’s worked in various tech roles for several productions during his 4 years at college, but he has not previously landed an acting role. He tried out freshman year, didn’t get cast, got busy with other classes and activities (and, I think, may have been a bit put off by not being cast - an early lesson that college was not like high school, where he played several leads), and didn’t try out again until this, his last term. He will be acting a fairly large role in a production in May.

I’ve been so envious when I read on here about parents going to see their kids in performances and sporting events, going to parents weekend and all that stuff - because of course we can’t just fly 4000 miles for an event or a weekend. Since dropping our son off to start his freshman year, DH and I have only been back one time, to attend a family wedding in a nearby town in the summer of 2015. DS comes home at Christmas and sometimes for spring break, but not for summers - he works in his college town (where he plans to settle). We also visited with him in Scotland when he was studying abroad there his junior year.

So, on a whim, I just looked into the cost of flying over to attend his performance - as a surprise to him - and found it amazingly affordable. And, as it turns out, I just heard today that a payment (for work) that I’d given up on receiving will be coming my way, and the amount is almost exactly the airfare cost for me to fly over on Thursday night, and back on Saturday (nonstop flights both ways). Seems like kismet…

So, I’m actually thinking of flying 8000 miles round trip, to watch my son act in a play. I know this is crazy, but I do love to do crazy stuff like this. I like traveling. (DH doesn’t, and he has no interest in going, but that’s fine with me.) I’m willing to fly “economy minus,” red-eye, to do this.To me it seems fun. (I can stay with a close friend, and it will be nice to visit with her as well.) I just did our budget and I can afford this.

Now, just to make it crazier, we (DH and I) already have our reservations made to go to DS’s graduation, just 2 weeks later.

Should I do this? Should I get someone (you all?) to talk me down? I can’t help thinking that it’s something I’d regret if I didn’t do it.

2

Go for it!

3

Absolutely!!

I think you would regret it if you did not. I can “hear” your excitement at the thought of it.

4

Yes. Don’t think twice.

5

My son is also a senior and is not an acting major, he tried out for school play and went through the audition and 2 call backs. He did not get the part, but I would have absolutely flown to Boston to see it had he been successful.

6

Can afford it? Go for it! From a practical standpoint - you will be able to haul home some of his stuff…

7

Yes, absolutely. Go and have a great time.

8

Go, you may never have the stars align like this again.

9

Yes, sounds like an amazing time.
Do check with him though…it would be bad if he felt he had obligations and
such.
I would have done such an exhausting and fun thing --about 10 years ago–not sure about the
turn around time anymore :wink:

10

I’ve done similar! Best decision ever. Mine is a professional in Asia. Had a performance I wanted to hear despite travel across international dateline and flight of 15 hours. I also had another trip already planned and paid for coming up in 2 months. Logically, I should have saved the money and physical wear and tear, but I went with heart. Kid enjoyed me being there and I had a great time. In retrospect, I don’t know why I hesitated, so very grateful that going was an option for me and so glad I went!

11

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I’m going to sleep on this, but I think I’m going to do it. Might reach out to DS’s partner tomorrow, on the sly, before booking the flights. I just don’t know him well enough to know if he can keep a secret…

@Momofadult, wow, nice to hear that you did that, and are glad you did. That’s a REALLY long way to go! My flights would only be 7-8 hours each way.

@oregon101, I’m inclined to check/conspire with his partner - would love to make it a surprise for DS, but also don’t want him to be conflicted or to stress him out.

12

I would definitely go. Memories are gold and help us over the rough spots. Plus, as others have pointed out, you jay be able to help take some of the things he wants you to store in HI.

I really believe you may well regret if you DON’T go. Stars aligning in a good way certainly shouldn’t be ignored. Book the flight—you have 24 hours to cancel. It might increase and then you will lose the fare.

13

Absolutely, go. :slight_smile:
This s a memory both of you will treasure.
Checking with his partner is a good idea too.

14

Goodness – you even need to ask?? Obviously you really want to go. This will mean a lot to both you and your son.

15

Go! Go! Go!

I like the idea of letting his partner know. This gives them a chance to leave a spot open for brunch or something.

16

Go! You will always be glad you did and your S will be so happy that you were there.

Enjoy!

17

It sounds wonderful! You’ll never have this opportunity again and will regret it if you don’t go. Go for it!

18

I’d go. I think it sounds like fun and it will be a great memory for both you and your son.

19

Just do it!

20

Your son will spend the rest of his life remembering that you did this for him.

Absolutely go.